title: GABA receptors, alcohol dependence and criminal behavior.
abstract: The aim of this study was to analyze the connection between alcohol dependence and criminal behavior by an integrated genetic-environmental approach. The research, structured as a case-control study, examined 186 alcohol-dependent males; group 1 (N = 47 convicted subjects) was compared with group 2 (N = 139 no previous criminal records). Genetic results were innovative, highlighting differences in genotype distribution (p = 0.0067) in group 1 for single-nucleotide polymorphism rs 3780428, located in the intronic region of subunit 2 of the GABA B receptor gene (GABBR2). Some environmental factors (e.g., grade repetition) were associated with criminal behavior; others (e.g., attendance at Alcoholics Anonymous) were inversely related to convictions. The concomitant presence of the genetic and environmental factors found to be associated with the condition of alcohol-dependent inmate showed a 4-fold increase in the risk of antisocial behavior. The results need to be replicated on a larger population to develop new preventive and therapeutic proposals.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Terranova
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sartore
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, University Hospital of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabiano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cavarzeran
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Di Pietra
authors.affiliation: Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Barzon
authors.affiliation: Departments of Molecular Medicine, University Hospital of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Palù
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Medicine, Forensic Toxicology Unit - Legal Medicine Unit, University Hospital of Padova, Via Falloppio 50, 35121, Padova, Italy.
authors.forename: Santo D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Ferrara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D057237:Criminals / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005091:Exons; D005555:Forensic Psychiatry; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007438:Introns; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B / Q000235:genetics*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012931:Social Environment
chemical_list: C485503:GABBR2 protein, human; D018080:Receptors, GABA-B
keywords: GABA A receptor; GABA B receptor; alcohol dependence; criminal behavior; forensic science; violent crime; γ-aminobutyric acid